Overview
Junior firefighter programs are one of the best ways to educate and inspire young Pennsylvanians to serve their communities while ensuring the future of emergency services. Learn how to build a safe, compliant, and successful junior emergency services program.
Benefits
Junior firefighter programs allow young people from age 14 through 17 to get involved in the fire service.
The programs aren't just about recruitment. They also provide education, leadership, and an opportunity for community service.
Benefits include:
- Introducing teens to life-saving skills and emergency service careers.
- Building leadership, discipline, and teamwork.
- Strengthening community bonds.
- Cultivating the future of the fire department.
General Rules
Pennsylvania law, specifically the Child Labor Act, strictly regulates what junior members can and cannot do.
Who Can Join?
- Youth ages 14 to 17
- Must have a work permit issued by school district
- Must have Act 155 Permission Form
- Parental consent required
✅ What Junior Firefighters Can Do
- Participate in non-hazardous training
- Assist with first aid (if trained and directed by medical personnel)
- Help clean up after incidents (outside of the danger zone)
- Serve food and drinks at emergency scenes
- Join community outreach, fundraising, and fire prevention programs
🚫 What Junior Firefighters Can't Do
- No entering burning buildings
- No operating pumps or fire vehicles
- No handling hazardous materials
- No firefighting unless they are 16+ and have been trained
Trainings By Age
Select an age to see which trainings are available for that group of junior firefighters.
Start a Junior Firefighter Program
Follow these five steps to start a junior firefighter program:
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1
Ask the Right Questions
- Why do we want a junior firefighter program?
- Will our members and municipality support it?
- Who will coordinate and supervise the juniors?
- Do we have the right insurance and background checks in place?
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2
Assign Roles
- Appoint a Junior Emergency Service Program coordinator and liaison.
- Build a support committee of officers to oversee the program.
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3
Develop the Program
- Create clear goals and guidelines.
- Include your municipality, attorneys, and insurance provider in planning.
- Study successful programs in nearby departments. Contact us if you'd like a recommendation.
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4
Make It Official
- Adopt the Junior Emergency Service Program in your departments bylaws and standard operating guidelines.
- Outline duties, rights, and expectations.
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5
Launch and Promote
- Offer training, fire prevention activities, public outreach, and service opportunities.
- Market the program through local schools, churches, youth groups, and media.
Work Hours and Legal Requirements
Work hours vary by age. Here's a summary:
| Age | Hours During School | Hours During School Vacations |
| 14-15 | Max 3 hours per day, 18 hours per week | Max 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week |
| 16-17 | Max 8 hours per day, 28 hours per week | Max 10 hours per day, 48 hours per week |
Junior members must:
- Have 30-minute breaks for shifts longer than five hours.
- Not work past 7 p.m. if they are 14 or 15.
- Not work past 12 a.m. if they are 16 or 17.
Special exceptions might apply. See Page 8 of the Junior Compliance Manual.
Stay Compliant
Maintain forms and follow posting requirements.
- File and retain work permits.
- File and retain parental consent forms.
- Post required documents, including the Child Labor Act abstract (PDF) and minor employee lists
- Keep open communication with local schools and parents.
Case Studies
How Communities Like Yours Are Building the Next Generation of Firefighters
Across Pennsylvania, departments and community organizations are getting creative, blending hands-on training with mentorship, leadership, and community service. Here are two standout case studies showing what’s possible when passion meets planning:
When the traditional 4-H program saw declining participation, leaders in Bradford County took a bold step. They created a youth emergency services initiative that stayed true to the 4-H mission of head, heart, hands, and health, and added a twist: fire, EMS, and rescue.
Program Snapshot
- Ages Served: 7 to 18, with focused leadership development for youth 14+ who already serve as junior firefighters.
- Year One Impact: More than 55 young people from three counties attended 45+ training sessions, outings, and events.
- Junior Firefighters Involved: 18 active members in local fire departments.
What Makes It Work
- Early Engagement: Kids as young as 7 get exposure to the fire service, keeping them inspired and on track to join at 14.
- Full-Spectrum Training: Young people get all kinds of training, from fire suppression and EMS to water rescue and law enforcement.
- High-Impact Experiences: Kids go on visits to Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, participate in live burn trainings, and develop their skills at Harrisburg Area Community College.
- Community-Powered: Supported entirely by donations and sponsorships, the program is low-cost and accessible.
- Family Involvement: Parents get involved, too, often becoming volunteers themselves.
Why It's A Game-Changer
This program doesn’t just prep future responders. It also builds family connections, boosts community pride, and creates a sustainable pipeline of passionate, trained volunteers.
Designed specifically for junior members of local volunteer departments, the Karns City Junior Fire Cadet Program focuses on real-world readiness and lifelong relationships. Over five intensive days, cadets ages 14 to 18 learn the ropes, literally and figuratively.
Program Highlights
Key skills covered:
- Engine company operations
- Truck company operations
- Vehicle rescue
- Hazardous materials emergencies
Instructors
Instructors are local firefighters and trusted mentors from the fire service community.
More Than Just Training
This program is built on the spirit of brotherhood and service. Introducing cadets to the fire service early creates strong bonds.
The results speak volumes:
- Cadets walk away with practical experience and increased confidence.
- They gain a deep sense of belonging, inspiring them to stay committed to their department and each other.
Why It Works
This isn’t just a skills camp. It’s a culture camp that brings out the best in future firefighters and helps departments retain talent for years to come.
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Local School District(s) For work permits.
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Department of Labor and Industry For labor law guidance.
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National Volunteer Fire Council For junior firefighter resources.
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Contact Us At OSFC For guidance or with questions.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only. The developers, contributors, and their companies/organizations they represent, disclaim and do not assume any liability for any act or omission by any person in connection with the use or implementation of any information contained on this site. None of the listed developers, contributors, or their companies/organizations they represent, make any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the results obtained by the use, adherence or implementation of any material contained on this site. The implementation of this manual is not a guarantee that you will achieve any desired results. This website does not represent a complete or exhaustive explanation of the rules, regulations and laws.
